Categories: Shopping; Local & Entertainment

Los Angeles' Offbeat Destinations

By chubbuni13
updated about 1 month ago

Sometimes I get tired with the scene in Los Angeles. LA is well renowned for its glitz and glamor but after a while, things become stale and I try and seek different types of experiences off the beaten path. From turtle races to Thai Elvis impersonators, here are some of the wacky places that LA has to offer.

Opaque Dining in the Dark

8401 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069

After seeing this restaurant on “Rock of Love 2”, I knew that I had to go try it out. You know how they say that blind people give the best massages because they’re more attuned to their other senses? Well, I guess that doesn’t work in this case because they’re not actually cooking the food, but you get the point.

Palm Trees Thai Restaurant

5273 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The food is pretty standard fare and the place always sort of smells faintly like a bathroom, but their main claim to fame is their excellent Thai Elvis impersonator that performs most nights. Laugh all you want, this guy is the real deal… except when he forgets The King’s lyrics and inserts random Thai words in their place.

Brennan's

4089 Lincoln Boulevard, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Brennan’s is a pretty nondescript Irish pub and sports bar save for its one saving grace: TURTLE RACING THURSDAYS! I have never seen such an eclectic group of people come together to watch reptiles race. Lots of surreptitious bets and as I’m sure you would expect, quite a few drunk people. This is an experience.

Ghetto Gloss Cleared Art

2380 Glendale Boulevard Centre, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Following closely in the footsteps of Brennan’s animal themed Thursday nights, Ghetto Gloss offers “Ape Thursdays” featuring dancing apes and a simian themed movie marathon well into the wee hours of the morning. The art on display is not really my style, but it’s always good to go and laugh at other people’s (the guy in the dancing ape costume) misfortune.

Y-Que Trading Post

1770 N Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The self proclaimed premiere shopping destination for unique toys, gifts and underground clothing in Los Feliz. Which is a pretty sad statement when you think about it. Like The Flight of the Conchord’s who proudly state their status as “Formerly New Zealand’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo.” Except they were trying to be funny.

Bigfoot Lodge

3172 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039

Walking into Bigfoot Lodge is like going back in time to summer camp, but with significantly more pent up sexual frustration and heady amounts of booze. Expect lots of camp-style decor along with s’more themed cocktails replete with burning marshmallows. My girlfriend’s favorite!

Dresden Room Restaurant

1760 N Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

After this place was prominently displayed in the film Swingers, tons of people packed the joint to try and soak up Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau’s hip vibe… OK, maybe just Vince Vaughn’s mojo. Still, the dynamic musical stylings of Marty and Elayne – the bar’s live music duo – are what bring me back to this establishment.

Psychic Eye

9223 W Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

One of my sushi chefs moonlights here as a fortune teller on his off days, and if you are into metaphysics or arcane religion, this is definitely the place for you. I’ve also noticed an apparent trend in men loitering around trying to pick up on women who have very little qualms about breaking Judeo-Christian precepts on promiscuous sexual activity. Hey, whatever gets business in the door!